Former leading New Zealand publisher and bookseller, and widely experienced judge of both the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Montana New Zealand Book Awards, talks about what he is currently reading, what impresses him and what doesn't, along with chat about the international English language book scene, and links to sites of interest to booklovers.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Publishers Lunch

Sharon Kunz has joined Da Capo Press as senior publicist, focusing
primarily on their Seal Press list and reporting to Lissa Warren. Previously,
she was media engagement manager at Globe Pequot. She will be based in the
Hachette Boston office.

The American Library Association has promoted Mary Mackay to associate executive
director for publishing, effective June 5th. She will lead ALA publishing and
its Editions/Neal-Schuman, Booklist, American Libraries, eLearning Solutions,
Digital Resources, and Graphics imprints.

At Ingram Content Group,
Nick Yates has been promoted to manager of operations analysis
in Greater Nashville. Christy
Johnson has joined as client relations manager for Ingram
Academic Services in New York.

Adaptations
The long-gestating efforts to develop Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series
for the screen finally have some real momentum. The news comes nearly a year
after Jordan's widow Harriet McDougal said online that "The Wheel of Time
will become a cutting edge TV series! I couldn’t be more pleased. Look for the
official announcement coming soon from a major studio."

Variety reports
that Sony Pictures
Television will produce the adaptation, along with Rick Selvage
and Larry Mondragon at Red Eagle Entertainment and Ted Field and Mike Weber at
Radar Pictures, with Rafe Judkins (Agents of SHIELD, Hemlock Grove) attached to
write. McDougal will be a consulting producer.

Bookselling
Chicago bookstore Bookie's
will expand
to a new 2,800-square-foot store, while its existing space will be converted
into a venue for book signings and other events called Bookie's Annex. Owner
Keith Lewis expects the new space to open around June 7.

A new bookstore, Brick
& Mortar Books, in Redmond, Washington, will open in
May, with the grand opening set for June. Co-owned by Dan Ullom and his parents
Tina and John Ullom, the 4,0000-sqaure-foot store will carry an inventory of
about 20,000 new books for all ages.